{{tnr}}'''Sheila Simon''', (b. March 13, 1961) is the 46th and current [[Lieutenant Governor of Illinois]]. A [[Democrat]], she was first elected to the office on [[Illinois lieutenant gubernatorial election, 2010|November 2, 2010]] on a ticket with former Lt. Gov. [[Pat Quinn]].<ref name=elect>[http://www.elections.il.gov/electioninformation/VoteTotalsList.aspx?ElectionType=GE&ElectionID=29&SearchType=OfficeSearch&OfficeID=5370&QueryType=Office& ''Illinois State Board of Elections,'' General election - 11/2/2012," accessed April 20, 2012]</ref>

{{tnr}}'''Sheila Simon''', (b. March 13, 1961) is the 46th and current [[Lieutenant Governor of Illinois]]. A [[Democrat]], she was first elected to the office on [[Illinois lieutenant gubernatorial election, 2010|November 2, 2010]] on a ticket with former Lt. Gov. [[Pat Quinn]].<ref name=elect>[http://www.elections.il.gov/electioninformation/VoteTotalsList.aspx?ElectionType=GE&ElectionID=29&SearchType=OfficeSearch&OfficeID=5370&QueryType=Office& ''Illinois State Board of Elections,'' General election - 11/2/2012," accessed April 20, 2012]</ref>

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Simon only joined the 2010 gubernatorial ticket after [[Scott Lee Cohen]], who won the Democratic primary, withdrew amid allegations of domestic abuse, steroid use and failure to pay child support. The Illinois Democratic State Central Committee then chose Simon for the ticket over state Rep. [[Art Turner]], who had come in second to Cohen in the primary.<ref> [http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2010/03/27/simon_wins_dem_nomination_for_illinois_lt_gov/ ''Boston.com,'' "Ill. Democrats choose nominee after scandal," March 27, 2010] </ref>

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Simon only joined the 2010 gubernatorial ticket after [[Scott Lee Cohen]], who won the Democratic primary, withdrew amid allegations of domestic abuse, steroid use, and failure to pay child support. The Illinois Democratic State Central Committee then chose Simon for the ticket over state Rep. [[Art Turner]], who had come in second to Cohen in the primary.<ref> [http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2010/03/27/simon_wins_dem_nomination_for_illinois_lt_gov/ ''Boston.com,'' "Ill. Democrats choose nominee after scandal," March 27, 2010] </ref>

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Early in 2013, Simon said she would not run for re-election as Lt. Governor in 2014, but would seek another office instead. While she has not said what that office will be, it is believed Simon may be interested in the state's attorney general post, which would be vacant if current AG [[Lisa Madigan]] (D) runs for governor as she is expected to.<ref> [http://www.chicagomag.com/Chicago-Magazine/Felsenthal-Files/March-2013/Q-A-Lieutenant-Governor-Sheila-Simon/ ''Chicago Magazine,'' "What Happens After Lieutenant Governor Sheila Simon Quits Pat Quinn’s Team," March 26, 2013] </ref>

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Although Simon is eligible for re-election as lieutenant governor in 2014, she has opted not to run for another term. Instead, she is seeking the office of [[Illinois Comptroller|state comptroller]].<ref> [http://www.chicagomag.com/Chicago-Magazine/Felsenthal-Files/March-2013/Q-A-Lieutenant-Governor-Sheila-Simon/ ''Chicago Magazine,'' "What Happens After Lieutenant Governor Sheila Simon Quits Pat Quinn’s Team," March 26, 2013] </ref> She {{2014isseeking}} the [[Democratic]] nomination in the primary. {{Nov2014genelection}}

Born into a political family, her father, Paul Simon, was a U.S. Senator and also served as [[Lieutenant Governor of Illinois]], and her mother, Jeanne Hurley Simon, was a state representative.

Born into a political family, her father, Paul Simon, was a U.S. Senator and also served as [[Lieutenant Governor of Illinois]], and her mother, Jeanne Hurley Simon, was a state representative.

==Biography==

==Biography==

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A lawyer by profession, Simon was a Staff Attorney at the Domestic Violence Clinic at Southern Illinois University from 1998-2000. She was also Prosecutor of Jackson County from 1994-1998, an Attorney with the Land of Lincoln Legal Assistance Foundation and Faculty Member at the Southern Illinois University School of Law.<ref>[http://votesmart.org/candidate/biography/122134/sheila-simon#.UFoMgFH-2So '' Project Vote Smart,'' "Lieutenant Governor Sheila Simon's Biography," accessed September 19, 2012]</ref>

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A lawyer by profession, Simon was a Staff Attorney at the Domestic Violence Clinic at Southern Illinois University from 1998-2000. She was also Prosecutor of Jackson County from 1994-1998, an Attorney with the Land of Lincoln Legal Assistance Foundation, and Faculty Member at the Southern Illinois University School of Law.<ref>[http://votesmart.org/candidate/biography/122134/sheila-simon#.UFoMgFH-2So '' Project Vote Smart,'' "Lieutenant Governor Sheila Simon's Biography," accessed September 19, 2012]</ref>

Simon is the daughter of former Senator Paul Simon.<ref name="nominee">[http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/28/us/politics/28illinois.html?_r=0 '' New York Times,'' "Illinois Democratic Party Chooses a Familiar Name as Lieutenant Governor Nominee," March 27, 2010]</ref>

Simon is the daughter of former Senator Paul Simon.<ref name="nominee">[http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/28/us/politics/28illinois.html?_r=0 '' New York Times,'' "Illinois Democratic Party Chooses a Familiar Name as Lieutenant Governor Nominee," March 27, 2010]</ref>

=== Education===

=== Education===

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*Bachelors, University of Wittenberg, 1983

*JD, Georgetown University, 1987

*JD, Georgetown University, 1987

==Political career==

==Political career==

=== Lieutenant Governor (2010-Present)===

=== Lieutenant Governor (2010-Present)===

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Simon was selected by Democratic Party leaders to share a ticket with Gov. [[Pat Quinn]] in March 2010. With Quinn's endorsement Simon won the vote of the state's 38 member central committee. Votes had selected [[Scott Lee Cohen]] the month before, but Cohen soon resigned due to questions surrounding charges of domestic battery, unpaid child support and steroid usage.<ref name="nominee"/>

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Simon was selected by Democratic Party leaders to share a ticket with Gov. [[Pat Quinn]] in March 2010. With Quinn's endorsement, Simon won the vote of the state's 38 member central committee. Votes had selected [[Scott Lee Cohen]] the month before, but Cohen soon resigned due to questions surrounding charges of domestic battery, unpaid child support, and steroid usage.<ref name="nominee"/>

The Quinn/Simon ticket narrowly defeated Republicans [[Bill Brady]] and Jason Plummer in the November 2010 general election.

The Quinn/Simon ticket narrowly defeated Republicans [[Bill Brady]] and Jason Plummer in the November 2010 general election.

Simon announced in February 2013 she would not run for re-election as [[Lieutenant Governor of Illinois]] in 2014 but rather seek a new office that would allow her to have a "greater impact." However, she did not name what that office would be.<ref> [http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2013-02-13/news/chi-lt-gov-simon-will-not-run-again-for-the-office-20130213_1_lieutenant-governor-democrat-sheila-simon-pat-quinn ''Chicago Tribune,'' "Simon will not run again for lieutenant governor," February 13, 2013] </ref>

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Simon announced in February 2013 she would not run for re-election as [[Lieutenant Governor of Illinois]] in 2014 but rather seek a new office that would allow her to have a "greater impact." <ref> [http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2013-02-13/news/chi-lt-gov-simon-will-not-run-again-for-the-office-20130213_1_lieutenant-governor-democrat-sheila-simon-pat-quinn ''Chicago Tribune,'' "Simon will not run again for lieutenant governor," February 13, 2013] </ref> At the time of Simon's announcement, the AG seat was thought to be opened in 2014 by incumbent [[Lisa Madigan]]'s (D) long-anticipated run for governor. Despite the hype, Madigan decided to run for re-election as attorney general instead of pursuing the gubernatorial bid, and Simon later stated her intention to run for the office of [[Illinois Comptroller|state comptroller]].<ref>[http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2013/08/24/2014-governor-candidates-to-choose-running-mates/ ''CBS Local - Chicago,'' "2014 Governor Candidates To Choose Running Mates," August 24, 2013]</ref>

Simon only joined the 2010 gubernatorial ticket after Scott Lee Cohen, who won the Democratic primary, withdrew amid allegations of domestic abuse, steroid use, and failure to pay child support. The Illinois Democratic State Central Committee then chose Simon for the ticket over state Rep. Art Turner, who had come in second to Cohen in the primary.[2]

Although Simon is eligible for re-election as lieutenant governor in 2014, she has opted not to run for another term. Instead, she is seeking the office of state comptroller.[3] She sought the Democratic nomination in the primary. The general election took place November 4, 2014.

Born into a political family, her father, Paul Simon, was a U.S. Senator and also served as Lieutenant Governor of Illinois, and her mother, Jeanne Hurley Simon, was a state representative.

Biography

A lawyer by profession, Simon was a Staff Attorney at the Domestic Violence Clinic at Southern Illinois University from 1998-2000. She was also Prosecutor of Jackson County from 1994-1998, an Attorney with the Land of Lincoln Legal Assistance Foundation, and Faculty Member at the Southern Illinois University School of Law.[4]

Education

Bachelors, University of Wittenberg, 1983

JD, Georgetown University, 1987

Political career

Lieutenant Governor (2010-Present)

Simon was selected by Democratic Party leaders to share a ticket with Gov. Pat Quinn in March 2010. With Quinn's endorsement, Simon won the vote of the state's 38 member central committee. Votes had selected Scott Lee Cohen the month before, but Cohen soon resigned due to questions surrounding charges of domestic battery, unpaid child support, and steroid usage.[5]

The Quinn/Simon ticket narrowly defeated Republicans Bill Brady and Jason Plummer in the November 2010 general election.

Proposal to eliminate lt. governor office

On April 11, 2013, the Illinois House of Representatives approved a proposal seeking to eliminate the position of lieutenant governor by constitutional amendment. In order for the measure to be passed, it must win approval of both the State Senate and Illinois voters. If the proposal is approved in a statewide public vote, the office will remain intact for one final term following the 2014 election.[6]

Carbondale City Council (2003-2007)

Elections

2014

Simon announced in February 2013 she would not run for re-election as Lieutenant Governor of Illinois in 2014 but rather seek a new office that would allow her to have a "greater impact." [7] At the time of Simon's announcement, the AG seat was thought to be opened in 2014 by incumbent Lisa Madigan's (D) long-anticipated run for governor. Despite the hype, Madigan decided to run for re-election as attorney general instead of pursuing the gubernatorial bid, and Simon later stated her intention to run for the office of state comptroller.[8]

Campaign donors

Comprehensive donor information for Simon is available dating back to 2010. Based on available campaign finance records, Simon raised a total of $237,076 during that time period. This information was last updated on July 8, 2013.[9]

2010

Ballotpedia collects information on campaign donors for each year in which a candidate or incumbent is running for election. The following table offers a breakdown of Sheila Simon's donors each year.[11] Click [show] for more information.

Sheila Simon's Campaign Contributions

2010Governor and Lt. Governor of Illinois

Total Raised

$24,000,701

Total Raised by General Election Opponent

$19,945,166 (Republican)$5,191,367 (Independent)$100,581 (Green)

Top 5 contributors

Service Employees Healthcare Illinois Indiana

$1,895,435

Democratic Governors Association

$1,862,932

Service Employees Illinois State Council

$1,376,455

Taxpayers for Quinn

$1,104,013

Service Employees International Union

$1,100,000

Individuals

$3,580,624

Institutions

$17,798,497

In-state donations

$18,175,888

Out-of-state donations

$5,625,620

Recent news

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